The youth felt utterly crushed, and sitting down on a rock, with a heart as heavy as lead, he wondered what was going to happen next. Would they really shoot him? The thought was agony itself.
There were no other prisoners in the camp, so he was left for a long time alone, although several soldiers kept their eyes upon him, that he might not wander away. Soon supper was served, and one of the Tagals brought him a bowl of rice and meat. It must be confessed that he was now tremendously hungry, and ate all of what was given him, despite his down-heartedness.
The meal finished, the Filipinos were sitting around their camp-fires, when a certain General Drummo was announced. At once there was a 291 parade, which the general reviewed with satisfaction. The newcomer was served with supper, and then Larry was brought before him.
The general had his head full of his plans for the morrow and gave the boy but scant attention.
“You knew the risk you ran when you stole away,” he said, in broken English. “It is true you are but a boy, yet I’ll wager you can use a gun better than some of our own men. I cannot pardon you, for that would be setting a bad example. So I hereby sentence you to be shot at sunrise to-morrow,—and may your death be an example to others who are thinking of escape.”
Before Larry could say a word, if indeed he wanted to speak, he was led away to a hollow back of the camp. Here he was tied fast to a tree, and two soldiers were detailed to guard him until the hour for his execution should arrive.